From English Navigator to Samurai: The Journey of William Adams
If you’ve watched the hit series Shōgun, you were likely captivated by the journey of John Blackthorne, the English sailor who found himself entangled in the world of samurai and shoguns. His character was inspired by a real historical figure—William Adams, an English navigator who became known in Japan as Miura Anjin (三浦按針).
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Travel Guide
William Adams (Miura Anjin) Travel Guide: Yokosuka Edition
📍 Tracing the Legacy of William Adams: A Yokosuka Walking Tour Ever wondered what it was like to walk in the footsteps of Japan’s first English samurai, William Adams?This self-guided walking tour takes you through the historic sites in Yokosuka ...
Hirado — The City Where the Western Samurai, William Adams, Rests
Journey Through Hirado: Where the Western Samurai William Adams Walked and History and Culture Converge William Adams, known in Japan as Miura Anjin, was the inspiration for the protagonist in SHŌGUN and is celebrated worldwide as the first Western samurai ...
Itō: Tracing Miura Anjin and Japan’s First Western Ship
Remembering Itō—The Birthplace of Japan’s First Western-Style Sailing Ship Anjin, the blue-eyed samurai portrayed in "SHŌGUN," was inspired by Miura Anjin—William Adams—who built Japan’s very first Western-style sailing ship in Itō, Shizuoka Prefecture. Scattered across the town are historic landmarks ...
Miura Anjin’s Legacy in Tokyo: Historical Spots to Explore
A short walk from Tokyo Station, a monument quietly commemorates Miura Anjin (William Adams). This page explores the story behind this historic site. If you have a bit of spare time—perhaps while waiting for a Shinkansen—it’s well worth a brief ...
Uraga — Historic Sites Associated with Miura Anjin
Anjin, the blue-eyed samurai portrayed in the TV drama "SHŌGUN," was inspired by the real-life figure William Adams—known in Japan as Miura Anjin. One of the key places with which he was deeply involved was the port town of Uraga ...
Travel Journal
A Rainy Day in Ito: The Tale of William Adams and “Shōgun” August 10, 2025 – Notes from a Lecture in Ito City This article is based on the lecture “The TV Drama ‘Shōgun’ and the History Linking William Adams ...
Exploring the Legacy of William Adams (Miura Anjin): A Journey Through Historic Hirado
The journey begins at the Hirado Koryu Hiroba Parking Lot. You can park here for free for up to two hours, and after that, it's just 100 yen every 30 minutes—a very affordable option. Hirado is also renowned as the ...
In 2024, the Emmy Award-winning drama SHŌGUN captivated audiences worldwide.The series tells the story of a powerful shōgun inspired by Tokugawa Ieyasu and an English navigator, John Blackthorne, who serves him.What many may not realize is that Blackthorne’s character is ...
